Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-05-04

Stanton Spectator.
WEDNESDAY,. NAY 4. 1887.
Shenandoah Valley Railroad.
TT HAS ACCOMPLISHED MUCH FOR THE
sTATE-ITs VALUE IN DEVELOPMENT.
Virginia in her impoverished condition,
save in natural resources, has long since
had reason to appreciate the value which
Northern capital has wrought for the good
of the people and the State. With other
enterprises which came to us, one Of the
most significant importance, involving
large investments of money, was the Shen-
andoah Valley railroad, and the subsequent
results directly traceable to that improve
ment. Not upon the opening of that line
of communication, nor indeed upon the re-
suits obtained 30 far locally On its Southern
extension is it proposed in the commence
ment of this article to have much to say,
for in the order of events its highest re-
wards for the benefit it confers on much of
the country through which it passes is yet
to be realized. At first, it is proposed to
invite attention to the grand results of the
enterprises of 1881 of which it was the
chief figure, and the basis of operations
that have introduced into Virginia more
than fifty million dollars of actual invest
ment, with reasonable conclusion that
the future will outstrip the past as by
scores of sagaoious men and increasing mil
lions of money, Southwest Virginia is
regularly adding to her resources. This de-
duction will be settled point in history,
for if there had been no Shenandoah Val
ley railroad then the events following its
construction would not have occurred as
they have.
1t is we'll known fact that as the Shen-
andoah Valley railroad was making its way
up the Luray Valley to Waynesboro', the
attention of those interested in its extern
sion South was called to the purpose of the
English creditors of the Atlantic, Missis-
sippi and Ohio railroad (now the Norfolk
and Westerly to sell that property in de-
fault of the payment of its obligations
When the sale was made, the parties di-
rectipg the Valley line became the pur-
chasers, and then followed the early CON-
pletion of the line to Roanoke. This was
in 1881.
1t is unnecessary to enumerate the rapid
events which followed, and the magnif-
cence of the schemes commencing with the
building of the city on the site of the little
hamlet of Big Lick, where the spirited
population came forward with a handsome
subscription and hearty welcome to the
Pennsylvanians. Thus the line of commu
nication constructed in 1881 along ths
western base of the Blue Ridge Mountain
through the Valley of Virginia, and thu
shortest connection between the systemI
of the North and those of the South
brought with it the men, the sagacity, thu
energy, and the money for commencing
with the beginning at Roanoke and pushing
all over the Southwest of the State, and a
the Harbor of Norfolk, the grandest devel
opment known in the history of the Or
Commonwealth. Nor is this ALA new
Southern route upon higher parable
than that of the East Tennessee, Virgins
and Georgia, is to start at New River, ant
travelsipg our State on the Kentuck,
border will open a new channel with tn
far Southwest in it's direct connections t.
Chattanooga and Memphis.
This reference is made now simply t.
refer to important facts, though of com
paratively recent occurrence, for it woul'
require volumes to sketch even the presen
fruition of what has been accomplished
through the first agency of great events
and the just appreciation which attaches t.
the Shenandoah Valley railroad in connec
tion Herewith.
AS well in the interests of the Shenan
deah Valley railroad as upon the merits o
the resources along its line. it may b
deemed reasonable to ask an interview
with those welding capital who have be
come interested or may look with favo
upon the openings for judicious investment
along that route. Biologists of the highes
repute have recently testified to the i'm
mensity and the value of the iron an,
other deposits; one declaring that along th
base of the Blue Ridge Mountains over
looking the line of the Shenandoah Vale
railroad from Buford's to Rockfish Gap
that their interior depths could be com
pared to solid mass of iron. In tina
country modern science has completely vim
Dictated the practical ideas and judiciou
proceedings of the pioneers in the iron in
dustry of the Valley of Virginia.
A little way up the Valley of Irish Creel
i'll Rockbridge, which terminates at RICH
angles to the South River and the rairoa,
that are parallel, and about mile distan
from the latter iron was manufacturer
from ore merely skinned from the surfac,
during the Revolutionary war. ProjectiIel
for heavy ordnance were made from it anC
supplied to the batteries of the American
army employed at the siege of Yorktown
Large forest trees now stand where still ex
ist the evidences Of that industry in the
AAOuhtdlu IcCoSS ulOIC budu d CtDbuTy III UUt
past. Three miles South and lower down
the South river Valley, the railroad passe.
through the celebrated Buena Vista estate
where are the ruins of large furnace and
a foundry which ceased to operate about
1910. A few hundred yards east and OIL
the opposite side of the river are the ruins
of the second, and, when constructed,
doubtless the best furnace of that day in
that section of country. This elegant
property was destroyed by the Federal
General Hunter in 1864. A little lower
down the river and cotemporaneous with
the first works at Buena Vista existed
another small furnace and forge for
making hammered iron.
About 1876, Samuel F., and B. j. Jer,
y